Roald Dahl's response to editing his books

Putting past and present in perspective by using the latest technology

Imagine this. From the hereafter Roald Dahl wrote a public letter to his publisher in response to the editing of his books. All with with the help of - how contemporary - ChatGPT. Though far from perfect, this 'letter' shows once again how new technologies can be used in extraordinary ways. Testing both artificial- as well as human intelligence. This technology has only just started...

Roald Dahl's letter

"Ah, my dear publisher, what on earth are you thinking? Changing my words to suit the fancies of the 'modern readers'? Balderdash, I say! I wrote my stories with a bold and imaginative spirit, not to please anyone's delicate sensibilities.

Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not one to go out of my way to offend anyone. But I'm also not one to water down my stories for the sake of political correctness. I believe in telling the truth, even if it's uncomfortable or unsettling. And sometimes, the truth is ugly or unpalatable. That's just the way it is.

So, my dear publisher, if you start bowdlerizing my words and trying to make them fit some sanitized version of reality, you'll be doing a disservice to your readers. You'll be depriving them of the richness and depth of my stories, and you'll be robbing them of the chance to grapple with the complexities of the world.

Besides, let's not forget that I was a bit of a rebel myself in my day. I didn't shy away from controversy, and I certainly didn't care about pleasing anyone's sensitivities. I wrote what I wanted to write, and I said what I wanted to say. And that's exactly what I expect my publishers to do with my work.

So, my dear publisher, let me make myself clear: do not touch my words. Do not change them, do not sanitize them, do not make them palatable for anyone's taste. Let them stand as they are, warts and all. Trust me, and trust your readers, to understand and appreciate the power of storytelling in all its messy, unpredictable glory."

Yours sincerely,

Roald Dahl